Fluid moving device



Jan. 12, 1965 J. L. JOHN 3,165,063

FLUID MOVING DEVICE Filed June 18, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG JAMES L. JOHN, DECEASED K I5 CATHERINE JOHN, EXEOUTRIX 42 4 g IZA INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Jan. 12, 1965 J. 1.. JOHN 3,165,063

FLUID MOVING DEVICE Filed June 18, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG 2 ,25 2 4 44 24B 4 '5 F 20 I4 22 40 2A E Q 1;, FIG 3 F." ,32 t-lo c :21:21? L 56 50 r" I I8 JAMES L. JOHN, DECEASED CATHERINE JOHN, EXEOUTRIX E INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY United States Patent ()fifice 3,165,053 Patented Jan. 12, 1965 3,165,063 FLUID MOVING DEVICE James Leland John, deceased, late of South Coihy, Wash, by Catherine John, executrix, South Colby, Wash.; Margurette Marie Lewis, administratrix, de bonis non, of said James Leland John Filed June 18, 1962, Ser. No. 203,395 Claims. (Cl. 103-80) This present invention relates to the general art of fluid moving means and more particularly to a feathering of the fluid moving surfaces which provides for a definite uni-directional fluid flow.

The general increase in the use of air conditioning in homes, office buildings, apartments, factories and especially in storage rooms has brought to the foreground the need for a uni-directional air moving means which will minimize the air slippage off the margins of the air moving surface to the end that an efficient fluid pressure creating and moving device will be provided which will not transmit any unwanted mechanical noises along the fluid ducts or passageways.

In producing this present fluid moving device use has been made of impeller units which are box-like in form in that they have four sides. The part that would correspond to the ends of these box-like impellers is left open so that there are only four actual sides and this arrangement provides two parallel spaced working surfaces for the impeller and also provides for the convenient feathering of the impeller after it has completed its power stroke and is being returned tothe opposite end of its working path.

This machine is very useful in moving fluids (particularly air) in large volumes, gently and quietly as in heating or cooling plants, in homes, oflices, factoriesa'nd cold storage areas. It can be utilized in grain chaflingand berry cleaning. This type of machine would be very useful in circulating large masses of air over orchards to prevent frost from setting in on the fruit. Its ability to move air quickly and efliciently makes it adaptable as a smoke ejector in fire fighting equipment. It is simple and economical to construct and operate which puts it within the reach of a great number of consumers.

A principal object of this present invention therefore is to provide a plurality of impellers of box-like form which provides a straight line power stroke for the movement of fluids, after which the impellers are mechanically feathered so that they may be returned without undue drag on the fluid flow means.

A further object of this invention is to provide planar, spaced apart fluid moving surfaces on each impeller so that there is no propeller or paddle-like fluid moving surface but rather the fluid moving surfaces are provided with meeting surfaces disposed at right angles to them so that there can be no spillage of fluid off the sides of the propelling surface.

A further object of this invention is to provide a fluid moving device that is devoid of the usual fluid generated sounds that have proven so objectionable in many types of blade or propeller type of fans.

A further object of this invention is to provide an economical structure for the movement of various fluids in which the fluids are moved in a straight line.

Further objects, advantages and capabilities will be apparent from the description and disclosure in the drawings, or may be comprehended or are inherent in the device.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a fluid moving device and showing one impeller element in its working position and the other in its return or feathering position.

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the fluid moving device shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the broken line 3--3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the axis of the power input shaft and its supporting bearing.

Referring to the drawings, throughout which like reference characters indicate like parts, the numeral 10 designates generally the main supporting and positioning frame for my device. This member is probably best fabricated from structural steel in order to give-a secure framework so that the various parts can be revolved or driven lineally at relatively high speed without danger of damage caused by the mechanism working out of alignment. Any suitable baseboard may be employed or in many instances baseboard 12 will be a structural member of a building in .which this device may be installed.

Suitably mounted in preferably anti-friction bearings, and disposed transversely of frame 10 is the power input shaft 14. Any suitable means may be employed to drive shaft 14 such as the electric motor 16 which is coupled to the input shaft 14 by suitable 'V-belt sheaves 14A and 16A and a V-belt 18. Fixedly secured to shaft 14 at their midpoints are two spaced-apart and parallel impeller arms 20 and 22. As these arms determine the rotary path of the impellers 24 and 26 it is very desirable that arms 20 and 22 be disposed accurately at right angles to shaft 14 and be provided with adequate mounting hubs to insure proper alignment throughout the useful life of the equipment. At the opposite ends of the impeller arms 20 and 22 are disposed impeller supporting and positioning shafts 3t} and 32. Shafts 30 and 32 are indirectly power driven and must revolve between arms 20 and 22; consequently suitable bearings must be provided in the arms therefor. These have not been shown in the draw ings as any common practice will be adequate for this purpose. Rotation of the shafts 30 and 32 is accomplished by rotating arms 20 and 22 and by suitable power transmitting means connecting shafts 30 and 32 to power input shaft 14.

The impellers of this equipment are believed to be unique in that they are in effect four sides of a box such as is probably best shown in FIGURE 3 whereit will be noted that the two fluid moving sides as 24A and 24B and the connecting ends 25 show an outline which indicates the thickness ofthe material used and its positioning. The top and bottom forming part of the construction of a standard box are not used in this arrangement.

Referring to FIGURE 1, the impeller elements mounted on shafts 30 and 32 revolve about shaft 14 in the direction indicated by arrow 36 shown in FIGURE 1. An important object of this fluid moving device resides in having the impeller, as it is passing through the lower portion of its travel, present vertical planar surfaces to the fluid being moved. Thus maximum effort will be expended in moving the fluid forward and causing a minimum of side or eddy currents. At the time impeller 26 is passing through the lower portion of its run, with its fluid moving sides 26A and 26B vertical, the opposite impeller 24 must be positioned so that its fluid moving sides 24A and 24B are horizontally disposed as shown in FIGURES 1 and 3. This arrangement insures that the impeller 24 will be moved through its upper feathering course of travel with the minimum resistance or creation of eddies. This feathering of the working surfaces of the impellers must be accurately and positively achieved as by gears or chains. As an example of a suitable light-weight drive, chains and sprockets may be employed as will be noted in the various figures of the drawings. The chain and sprocket arrangement is quite well illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3. Mounted coaxially with the power input shaft 14 are two small diameter impeller positioning or driving sprockets 4t} and 42 providing a first power transmitting means. These sprockets are secured to sleeve which is suitably held against turning as by being secured to frame bearing 12A by means of screw 15A. The sprockets are thus positioned concentrically of shaft 14 but do not revolve with it. These sprockets are connected by chains 44 and as to driven chainsprockets 48 and 50 respectively, providing a second coacting power transmitting means. The tooth ratio between'the drivensprockets 48 and 59 and the Sprockets All and 42, which in effect drive sprockets 48 and 5 0, is two toonef In order to provide aminimum of turbulence of the air while this device is in operation, it is desirable to provide a fluid guiding trough'tha't 'will encircle the impellers as much as is practical of achievement during their passage through the lower'level. One embodiment of this trough is indicated at 55 and it will be noted that it extends substantially as far upwardly as the path of impeller shafts 30 and 32 will permit, as indicated by the arcuate upper margin 56 as shown FIGURES 'l and 3. This will just'provide reasonable clearance for shaft 32 as it revolves about shaft center 14. The restraint of the fluid .isfurther augmented by the trough portions 58 and oil.

It is believed that it will be apparent from the above description and the disclosure in'the drawings that the invention comprehends a novel construction of a fluid moving device.

Having thus-Jdescribed the invention, I claim: 1.. A fluid moving device, comprising: a asupporting and positioning frame; (b) a transversely disposed rotary power input shaft supported by said frame;

(0) power means fo'r driving said input shaft;

(21) two'spaced apart and parallel impeller arms operatively secur ed' at their midpoints to said input shaft fan d disposed-at right angles thereto;

(e) impeller supporting and positioning shafts, revolvably mounted, one in each of the opposite ends of said arms; i

(f) an impeller fixedly secured to each of said impeller shafts, said impellers having two spaced and parallel fluid moving sides connected at their opposite sides by supporting parallel sides that are fixedly secured to said impeller shafts;

(g) impeller positioning chain sprockets secured against rotation and coaxially disposed with respect to said power input shaft;

(h) a driven chain sprocket secured to each of said impeller shafts and aligned respectively for coaction with said positionin'g'sprockets, said driven sprockets being larger in diameter than said driving sprockets and proportioned to present the closed, fluid moving sides of said impellers in the vertical plane as H they pass through the lower portion of their travel and to present the said closed fluid moving sides of said impellers in a horizontal plane as they move through the upper portion of their travel, and

(i) a fluid guiding trough substantially enclosing the lower half of said impellers as they pass through the lower and fluid moving portion of their travel.

2. A fluid moving device, comprising:

(a) a supporting and'positioning frame;

(b) a transversely disposed rotary power input shaft supported by said frame;

(0) power means for driving said input shaft;

(at) two spaced apart and parallel impeller arms operatively secured at their midpoints to said input shaft and disposed at right angles thereto;

(e) impeller supporting andpositioning shafts, revolvably mounted, onein each of the opposite ends of said arms;

(f) an impeller fixedly secured to each of said impeller shafts, said impellers having two spaced and parallel fluid moving sides connected at their opposite sides by supporting parallel sides that are fixedly secured to said impeller shafts;

(g) impeller positioning chain sprockets secured against rotation and coaxially disposed with respect to said power input shaft;

(1) a driven chain sprocket secured to each of said impeller shafts and aligned respectively for coaction with said positioning sprockets, said driven sprockets being larger in diameter than said driving sprockets and provide a two to one ratio with said impeller positioning sprockets to present the closed, fluid moving sides of said impellers in the vertical plane as they pass through the lower portion of their travel and to present the said closed fluid moving sides of said impellers in a horizontal plane as they move through the upper portion of their travel, and

(i) a fluid guiding trough substantially enclosing the lower half of said impellers as they pass through the lower and fluid moving portion of their travel.

3, A fluid moving device, comprising:

(a) a supporting and positioning frame;

(1)) a transversely disposed rotary power input shaft supported by said frame;

(0) power means for driving said input shaft;

(:5) two spaced apart and parallel impeller arms operatively secured at their midpoints to said input shaft and disposed at right angles thereto;

(e) impeller supporting and positioning shafts, revolvably mounted, one in each of the opposite ends of said arms;

(f) an impeller fixedly secured to each of said impeller shafts, said impellers having two spaced and parallel fluid moving sides connected at their opposite sides by supporting parallel sides that are fixedly secured to said impeller shafts;

(j) a first power transmitting means secured concentrically of said power input shaft, one for each of said impeller shafts, but which do not revolve with it;

(It) a second power transmitting means secured to each of said impeller shafts and aligned respectively for coaction with said first power transmitting means, said second power transmitting means being larger in diameter than said first power transmitting means and proportioned to present the closed fluid moving sides of said impellers in the vertical plane as they pass through the fluid moving portion of their travel and to present the said closed fluid moving sides of said impellers in a horizontal plane as they move through the feathering portion of their travel, and

(i) a fluid guiding trough substantially enclosing the lower half of said impellers as they pass through the lower and fluid moving portion of their travel.

4. A fluid moving device, comprising:

(a) a supporting and positioning frame;

(b) a transversely disposed rotary power input shaft supported by said frame;

(0) power means for driving said input shaft;

(d) two spaced apart and parallel impeller arms operatively secured at their midpoints to said input shaft and disposed at right angles thereto;

(m) an impeller supporting and positioning shaft,

revolvably mounted on said arms;

(it) an impeller fixedly secured to said impeller shaft, said impeller having a fluid moving surface connected at its opposite sides to said impeller shaft;

(0) an impeller positioning chain sprocket secured against rotation and coaxially disposed with said power input shaft;

(p) a driven chain sprocket secured to said impeller shaft and aligned respectively for coactlon with said positioning sprocket, said driven sprocket being larger in diameter than said positioning sprocket and proportioncd to present the closed, fluid moving surface of said impeller in the vertical plane as it passes through the lower portion of its travel and to present the said closed fluid moving surface of said impeller in a horizontal plane as it is moved through the upper portion of its travel, and

(q) a power transmitting chain operatively connecting said impeller positioning sprocket and said driven chain sprocket.

5. A fluid moving device, comprising:

(a) a supporting and positioning frame;

(b) a transversely disposed rotary power input shaft supported by said frame;

(c) power means for driving said input shaft;

((1) two spaced apart and parallel impeller arms operatively secured at their midpoints to said input shaft and disposed at right angles thereto;

(e) impeller supporting and positioning shafts, revolvahly mounted, one in each of the opposite ends of said arms,

(r) an impeller mounted on each of said impeller shafts, said impellers each having a fluid moving surface fixedly secured to said impeller shafts;

(j) a first power transmitting means secured concentrically of said power input shaft, one for each of said impeller shafts, but which do not revolve with it, and

(s) a second power transmitting means secured to each of said impeller shafts and aligned respectively for coaction with said first power transmitting means, said second power transmitting means being larger in diameter than said first power transmitting means and proportioned to present the fluid moving surfaces of said impellers in the vertical plane as they pass through the fluid moving portion of their travel and to present the said fluid moving surfaces of said impellers in a horizontal plane as they move through the feathering portion of their travel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 150,956 Hunter May 19, 1874 870,586 Renick Nov. 12, 1907 1,252,195 Study Jan. 1, 1918 2,165,757 McLaughlin July 11, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS 605,980 France Feb. 27, 1926 

1. A FLUID MOVING DEVICE, COMPRISING: (A) A SUPPORTING AND POSITIONING FRAME; (B) A TRANSVERSELY DISPOSED ROTARY POWER INPUT SHAFT SUPPORTED BY SAID FRAME; (C) POWER MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID INPUT SHAFT; (D) TWO SPACED APART AND PARALLEL IMPELLER ARMS OPERATIVELY SECURED AT THEIR MIDPOINTS TO SAID INPUT SHAFT AND DISPOSED AT RIGHT ANGLES THERETO; (E) IMPELLER SUPPORTING AND POSITIONING SHAFTS, REVOLVABLY MOUNTED, ONE IN EACH OF THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID ARMS; (F) AN IMPELLER FIXEDLY SECURED TO EACH OF SAID IMPELLER SHAFTS, SAID IMPELLERS HAVING TWO SPACED AND PARALLEL FLUID MOVING SIDES CONNECTED AT THEIR OPPOSITE SIDES BY SUPPORTING PARALLEL SIDES THAT ARE FIXEDLY SECURED TO SAID IMPELLER SHAFTS; (G) IMPELLER POSITIONING CHAIN SPROCKETS SECURED AGAINST ROTATION AND COAXIALLY DISPOSED WITH RESPECT TO SAID POWER INPUT SHAFT; (H) A DRIVEN CHAIN SPROCKET SECURED TO EACH OF SAID IMPELLER SHAFTS AND ALIGNED RESPECTIVELY FOR COACTION WITH SAID POSITIONING SPROCKETS, SAID DRIVEN SPROCKETS BEING LARGER IN DIAMETER THAN SAID DRIVING SPROCKETS AND PROPORTIONED TO PRESENT THE CLOSED, FLUID MOVING SIDES OF SAID IMPELLERS IN THE VERTICAL PLANE AS THEY PASS THROUGH THE LOWER PORTION OF THEIR TRAVEL AND TO PRESENT THE SAID CLOSED FLUID MOVING SIDES OF SAID IMPELLERS IN A HORIZONTAL PLANE AS THEY MOVE THROUGH THE UPPER PORTION OF THEIR TRAVEL, AND (I) A FLUID GUIDING TROUGH SUBSTANTIALLY ENCLOSING THE LOWER HALF OF SAID IMPELLERS AS THEY PASS THROUGH THE LOWER AND FLUID MOVING PORTION OF THEIR TRAVEL. 